I was checking my collection of books recently and realised the number does not seem to have gone up or down in recent years, and as life goes on I find books I want to read now but know I still have books to be read. I do make good use of local charity shopsContinue reading “You can never have enough when it comes to a collection of books”
Category Archives: poetry
The road not taken
by Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim Because itContinue reading “The road not taken”
Teddy Bear
by A A Milne A bear, however hard he tries, Grows tubby without exercise. Our Teddy Bear is short and fat, Which is not to be wondered at; He gets what exercise he can By falling off the ottoman, But generally seems to lack The energy to clamber back. Now tubbiness is just the thingContinue reading “Teddy Bear”
How strong are your resolutions as we face a Brave New Year?
A New Year lies before us and this is normally a time to make resolutions, hollow promises of what we will do in the year ahead. We announce our intention to lose weight; to stop smoking; to drink less; to be kind to others; to refrain from licentious behaviour; not to abuse others on Facebook,Continue reading “How strong are your resolutions as we face a Brave New Year?”
Poetry or song? It’s just words
The other day I gave you the lyrics of a Bob Dylan song from 57 years ago and suggested that lyrics are basically poetry without words. Then again some of the finest lyricists in the world are really poets first who then have their poetry put to music. This does not mean all poems couldContinue reading “Poetry or song? It’s just words”
Desolation Row
by Bob Dylan b. 1941 They’re selling postcards of the hanging, they’re painting passports brown The beauty parlor is filled with sailors, the circus is in town Here comes the blind commissioner, they’ve got him in a trance One hand is tied to the tightrope walker, the other is in his pants And the riotContinue reading “Desolation Row”
A Poison Tree
by William Blake 1757-1827 I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow. And I watered it in fears, Night and morning with my tears; And I sunned it with smiles, And with soft, deceitful wiles.Continue reading “A Poison Tree”
Absolution
by Siegfried Sassoon b. 1886 The anguish of the earth absolves our eyes Till beauty shines in all that we can see. War is our scourge, yet war has made us wise. And, fighting for our freedom, we are free. Horror of wounds and anger at the foe, And loss of things desired; all theseContinue reading “Absolution”
The Mother
by Pádraig Pearse b 10 November 1879 executed 3 May 1916 I do not grudge them: Lord, I do not grudge My two strong sons that I have seen go out To break their strength and die, they and a few, In bloody protest for a glorious thing, They shall be spoken of among theirContinue reading “The Mother”
A Song: “Men of England”
by Percy Bysshe Shelley 1792-1822 Men of England, wherefore plough For the lords who lay ye low? Wherefore weave with toil and care The rich robes your tyrants wear? Wherefore feed and clothe and save From the cradle to the grave Those ungrateful drones who would Drain your sweat – nay, drink your blood? Wherefore,Continue reading “A Song: “Men of England””
Robin's Nest 